Press Release – NZ Fish and Game Council
A mixed bag of weather gave lower North Island ducks an early advantage as the game bird season opened over the weekend.

The predicted front hit late, meaning waterfowl had clearer weather as the season opened on Saturday, although conditions improved for Wellington region hunters on Sunday.

“Once the front came through, the ducks were generally a bit more mobile and flying lower, which hunters were a lot more pleased with,” Fish & Game regional manager Phil Teal said. “Although some bag sizes were pretty patchy, most hunters went home with a feed and were pretty happy with the start of the season.”

Mr Teal said hunters had to work for the harvests, with bigger areas of water and maize fields favouring the smaller ponds.

“The end of summer drought still had an impact with high concentrations of birds in some areas, while some ponds that had been dry were just filling from recent rains.”

Mr Teal was delighted with the general standard of behaviour over the opening weekend, with Fish & Game rangers out in force ensuring regulations were being followed.

“While rangers detected a few offences, overall hunters had been behaving responsibly and complying well with regulations.”